Chapter 196

"Yes, I will," Chen Ce said with a smile. "Thank you so much for your help today, Miss Lux."

"No trouble at all... You can just call me Lux from now on."

"Okay, sure."

The two quieted down and waited patiently for their squad leader, Jonathan, to return.

The atmosphere wasn't exactly awkward, but there was a certain unspoken silence.

After a moment, Lux broke the awkward silence. "By the way, Chen Ce, do you really hate mages? I mean... um... your beliefs."

"Hate...maybe it's not quite right?" Chen Ce shook his head. "Ionia was indeed destroyed by mages, but I don't think we should hate all mages just because of the wickedness of those Noxus."

Could you elaborate?

"That is to say... magic itself is neither good nor evil; what's bad are those who use magic to do evil. Naturally, I hate those people."

"So you joined the Mageseeker Order because..."

"Yes, I just want to catch those who use magic to do bad things." Chen Ce gave a kind smile. "I will not let any bad person go, nor will I wrong any innocent person."

Upon hearing this, Lux pursed her lips, then smiled.

Her philosophy... is the same.

She herself possesses magical powers... it's innate, and she hasn't used magic to do anything wrong—there are certainly many people like that, so why should someone be convicted simply because they know magic?

Innate magic is like another part of the body; how can you accuse a baby of being a demon simply because he has wings?

Why can't they be angels?

Magic can be used for good.

Just like...

"Why is Miss Lux suddenly asking this?" Chen Ce suddenly spoke up, interrupting the girl's train of thought.

"Ah... I... it's nothing..." Lux looked a little flustered. "I was just a little curious... it's nothing, you don't need to worry about it."

Is that so?

"Uh-huh..."

"Okay." Chen Ce nodded, seemingly believing.

He secretly chuckled to himself.

He knew exactly what the other person was thinking—it was nothing more than the fact that coming here made them think about their identity as a magician being exposed, and they were feeling a little uneasy.

To use an imperfect analogy, it's like a thief who's taken to the police station; even without any clues pointing to her, she'll still feel uneasy.

At this point, the most direct response is to speak and ask questions, in order to mask their inner unease.

Chen Ce smiled as he looked at her, understanding that she was drawing parallels between himself and Garen —what if Garen discovered she was a mage? Would Garen share her ideals? Would the upright swordsman show her leniency?

On the surface, she was asking herself a question, but in reality, she was seeking an "answer" that would bring her some comfort.

Chen Ce guessed partly based on his own understanding of Lux and partly by using the power of the demon to directly [peep into her heart], seeing through her without revealing it.

But just then, a certain mischievous devil was about to "speak out":

[She possesses magic... she is also a magician...] The Raum, Demon of Secrets also saw through everything.

Of course I know... Chen Ce is responding deep within his consciousness... but it doesn't matter.

[It doesn't matter...] The devil's whispers always carried a seductive undertone. [But what if I told her I could make her unable to resist releasing her magic...]

Hmm? Releasing magic?

[Yes... the power of demons lies in bewitching and Inducement... everyone knows that...]

That sounds a bit mysterious... but by "bewitching," you mean making a deal with me, right?

[Hehe... Don't overthink it... Focus on another important point...]

Inducement?

Chen Ce uttered those two words almost subconsciously in his mind.

Then, he suddenly realized that he seemed to have been tricked—this was the devil's "little trick"!

Before he could react, the demon Raum made his move.

[Inducement... As you wish...]

As if triggered by some keyword, the demon Raum immediately took action—using the demonic power of the contract as a trigger, it borrowed Chen Ce's own magic power and then attacked Lux.

An attack that is imperceptible, unobservable, and unknowable.

It has no physical form and does not have any physical effect; it directly "attacks" the target's mind.

Lux jerked violently, instantly raising her head from its lowered position.

Then, her beautiful face turned bright red.

It was as if he was holding something back.

"...!" Her expression also became very strange.

Chen Ce knew perfectly well what was going on, but he could only pretend not to know and ask, "What's wrong with you...?"

"I... I'm... fine..." Lux had just straightened her back, bent over again, her whole body curling up.

It's that kind of feeling where you can't hold it in anymore.

"Are you really alright? Or... should I excuse myself?" Chen Ce stood up quite consciously.

He has given the other party plenty of opportunities.

Unfortunately, the young girl didn't appreciate it—she had never experienced such a strange feeling before, and she thought she could hold it in.

Magic and all that... is absolutely controllable...!

"Are you sure you don't need to...?" Chen Ce had already placed his hand on the doorknob of the lounge.

"It's alright... it's alright..." Lux didn't want to arouse suspicion.

The last chance has been given.

Chen Ce could only sit down silently and watch as the other person forced himself to remain silent.

He silently watched as Raum used his magic to cause trouble.

[Heh... Foolish mortals... The devil's Inducement are limitless...]

Raum's [Inducement] continues.

Lux's patience has reached its limit.

That feeling of magic about to burst forth... that feeling of it about to overflow...

I'm about to come out... I can't hold back anymore...

It's really... coming out...!

"Chen Ce... close your eyes...!"

Lux called out anxiously, her face flushed.

Chen Ce knew perfectly well what was going on, and immediately closed his eyes without asking a single question.

A glint of light flashed in Lux's palm.

This is just one point... but it's already glaring enough...

If you just close your eyes, you'll probably still get pricked...

After a moment's hesitation, the girl bit her lower lip and made a bold decision.

"Chen Ce...!"

Lux rushed over and hugged Chen Ce.

She pressed the thickest, softest, and non-shiny part of her body against Chen Ce's face—to blind him as much as possible.

The next moment, she couldn't hold it in any longer.

It's out...

They've all come out...!

A dazzling light instantly filled the entire lounge.

[Tsk...] The demon Raum made an unpleasant sound.

But it sounded completely different from that hoarse, terrifying voice from before.

Perhaps it was a "genuine expression of emotion"...

Its "tsk" sounded a bit...

Young...?

Chapter Sixty-Four Sona: When Fellow Countrymen Meet, Their Eyes Fill with Tears

Lux's cheeks were flushed, her eyes were brimming with tears, and her little pearls were swirling around.

How could she have imagined... that she would end up in a place like this...?

She came out... in front of a guy she'd only known for less than half a day...

Everything... has come out...

"Miss Lux...?" A questioning voice sounded from her arms, and the girl became extremely nervous.

But she only slowly released her embrace after the dazzling light had completely faded.

Her pounding heart made Chen Ce, who was being held, feel... very strange.

The breastplate is hard, but the contents inside are soft; the "impact" caused by a heartbeat can't help but make one think of some strange things...

In short, this is the worst-feeling facial cleanser Chen Ce has ever used.

The silver breastplate nearly ripped a line across his face...

"I just... I just..." Lux quickly returned to her original position after releasing the embrace, hiding her small, fair hands behind her back. Her head was lowered, and her face, flushed red to her ears, spoke of her nervousness, embarrassment, and awkwardness.

"It's just... to celebrate... yes, to celebrate you joining the Mageseeker Order...!"

"Oh..." Chen Ce nodded, feigning confusion.

He was, of course, aware of the actual situation.

As a melee mage with various magical powers within him, he could naturally sense the uncontrollable surge of magical power that had just been unleashed.

And that blinding light... it's not something you can completely hide just by closing your eyes.

It's like holding a flashlight to your eyelids; no matter how closed your eyes are, you can still sense the light.

However, at this point, it's best to pretend you know nothing... You haven't fully gained the trust of this blonde, blue-eyed girl yet, and rashly revealing that you know she's a magician would probably only arouse her fear and resentment.

That would be counterproductive.

So, what we should do now is...

"Did you... see something just now...?" Lux asked cautiously.

It's like a criminal suspect returning to the crime scene to confirm whether the victim is truly dead.

"Just now? No, nothing happened." Chen Ce scratched his head in confusion. "You told me to close my eyes, and then suddenly hugged me. How could I possibly see anything?"

"Oh..." The girl gently patted her not-so-full chest and breathed a sigh of relief.

"What's wrong? Is there something I missed?"

"No, no...!"

"What was that just now...?"

"Um... uh... this..." Lux nervously smoothed her hair, her little brain working at high speed.

"This is... a way we Demacia celebrate... like... a warm hug... do you understand...?"

"Oh..." Chen Ce nodded blankly, "I think I understand."

"Hmm... that's good... that's what I mean... don't overthink it... you definitely didn't miss anything..."